Langland, Piers Plowman (C-text)

thinking about version of the Church that emerges from Piers Plowman in secondary literature, Wycliffism has status -- stand-in for modern liberalism; brings modern scholars closer to what they wished medieval people believed

observing dis/continuities with Langland's own theology

interested in listening to versions of Wycliff that get spread outside of Oxford

some critics think about Langland as uneducated, as a "clever grammar school boy" -- but he engages with 14th century theology very seriously

question of the Reformation -- how does Langland fit into Eamon's version of the Middle Ages? what does this say about Duffy's construction of the late medieval Church?

restless poem; seems opaque, but great deal of dialectical control

Prologue

"I've become a problem to myself" -- famous lines from the Confessions

models of the Middle Ages as static and hierarchical; this prologue doesn't know them

"Conscience in the Middle Ages" -- is Piers Plowman's "Conscience" Thomistic?

Andrew Galloway, commentary on Piers Plowman

allegorical figures -- high stylistic of Kynde Wit clashes with final lines, full of ordinary life

"fragmentation of the forms of inquiry"; Will is given maps for finding his way -- give the possibility of a unified inquiry; how do we go on if the ground we're put on doesn't match the maps we're given?

when reason can't control us, we have anarchy; we *need* the cat -- all the forces of reform swallowed up in image of human beings who have become mice and rats

put him to pride -- put him to the plow -- concretized images

friars: mobile figures; answerable to papacy, not bishops

Structure

PROLOGUE

Will, dressed as a sheep -- falls asleep

DREAM I

sees tower of Truth to the east, valley of Death to the West, field full of folk between

Conscience comes to accuse them (Pr.95)

Kynde Wit speaks to the king and commons (Pr.147)

Conscience speaks to the clergy and king (Pr.151)

Conscience and king go to court

crowd of rats come to hold council about cat (Pr.165)

rat of renown suggests putting a bell around the cat's neck (Pr.176)

crowd of rats applaud his plan (Pr.190)

mouse steps forward, suggests one cat or another will always bother them; better to suffer in silence; rats could never rule themselves (Pr.196)

dreamer doesn't know how to interpret this vision; goes on to see diverse people

(PASSUS I)

Holy Church indicates people, says the only heaven they think of is here (I.5)

dreamer asks what it means (I.11)

Holy Church discusses tower of Truth (I.12)

dreamer asks to whom the world's treasure belongs (I.41)

Holy Church answers "Reddite Cesari" (I.44)

dreamer asks what the deep, dark dale means (I.55)

Holy Church answer it's the Castle of Care; evil lives there (I.57)

dreamer asks who she is (I.71)

Holy Church says I am Holy Church (I.72)

dreamer falls to knees, begs grace

dreamer asks how to save his soul (I.80)

Holy Church answers when all treasures have been tested, truth is the best (I.81)

dreamer asks why devil wants to be on the north, instead of the east (I.I.112)

Holy Church answers hell is wherever the devil is (I.114)

dreamer asks for "kynde knowying" (I.137)

Holy Church says he's a dummy, didn't learn enough Latin; discusses "kind knowynge" (I.139)

Holy Church starts to leave

(PASSUS II)

dreams kneels before her, begs for grace (II.1)

dreamer begs her to stay (II.1)

Holy Church indicates Falsehood and Favel to the left (II.5)

dreamer looks to the left; sees Meed

dreamer asks Holy Church who this is (II.18)

Holy Church answers it's Meed, describes Meed's Marriage (II.19)

Holy Church leaves (II.53)

dreamer sees Meed's marriage (II.54)

Liar leaps forth

Liar says Guile gave a charter to False and Meed (II.69)

Civil and Simony look over charter (II.72)

Simony says Meed is married more for her riches than her high birth (II.75)

Wrong steps forward as witness (II.109)

several craftsman, a beadle and a pardoner step forth, seal the deed (II.110)

Theology gets angry (II.116)

Theology says to Simony that Meed is legitimate, the daughter of Amends and Favel; warns about wedding (II.117)

Civil agrees (II.155)

Simony doesn't agree (II.155)

Favel comes with florins, orders Guile to give out the gold (II.157)

everyone thanks Favel, pledge to help him marry Meed to False (II.162)

Favel and False are pleased

everyone goes to Westminster; allegories ride reeves and jurors (II.173)

Civil says he and Simony will ride adulterous rich men (II.183)

Truthful sees them riding, says nothing; passes them to go to king's court and warn Conscience (II.200)

Conscience tells the king he wants to catch False and Favel and Liar (II.204)

Conscience commands constable to arrest False, behead Guile, bring Meed in (II.211)

Dread hears, goes to tell False he'd better flee (II.217)

False flees to friars (II.220)

Guile flees for his life; merchants meet him and take him in (II.221)

Liar leaps away; pardoners take him in (II.225)

Simony and Civil went to Rome to appeal to pope (II.243)

Conscience accuses them to the king (II.245)

Conscience says Holy Church may be damaged beyond repair if nothing is done (II.246)

all flee except Meed (II.250)

(PASSUS III)

Meed brough before King (III.2)

King tells clerk to look after Meed, that he'll examine her (III.5)

Clerk brings Meed to chamber (III.9)

mirth and minstrelsy amuse Meed (III.12)

judges try to appear Meed not to be sad, they'll help (III.17)

Meed thanks them, offers them gifts (III.21)

clerics comfort Meed (III.25)

Meed promises them rewards (III.30)

confessor offers to absolve her (III.38)

Meed kneels before him, confessees (III.45)

confessor absolves her (III.50)

confessor tells her they'll have her name engraved on a window (III.51)

Meed replies (III.55)

prophetic voice breaks through, warns against such kinds of meed; direct address (III.68)

King calls for Meed (III.127)

King chastises Meed, asks her if she'll have Conscience as a husband (II.133)

Meed responds that she will (III.147)

Conscience is called; kneels (III.149)

King asks Conscience if he'll marry Meed (III.153)

Conscience says no (III.155)

Meed asks to speak in her defense (III.215)

King grants her wish (III.218)

Meed speaks in defense of the reward system (III.220)

King says to Conscience that Meed has made her point well (III.283)

Conscience refuses; uses grammatical metaphor (III.285)

King says to Conscience he doesn't understand the metaphor (III.340)

Conscience explains (III.243)

Meed is angry (III.483)

Conscience retorts that she's misunderstanding (III.491)

PASSUS IV

King asks them to stop arguing, kiss (IV.1)

Conscience refuses (IV.4)

King tells Conscience to fetch Reason (IV.6)

Conscience agrees (IV.13)

Conscience rides to Reason (IV.14)

Conscience tells Reason what's going on (IV.14)

Reason agrees to come (IV.16)

Reason calls Cato and Tom True-tongue to sattle up (IV.17)

Conscience and Reason leave together (IV.24)

Wily-fellow and Clever-man, &c., follow them (IV.27)

Conscience warns Reason against them (IV.33)

Conscience and Reason ride on (IV.40)

King greats Reason (IV.42)

Peace comes with petition to parliament about how Wrong had wronged him (IV.45)

Peace explains Wrong's wrongs (IV.49)

King knows it's true because of Conscience (IV.64)

Wrong is afraid (IV.66)

Wrong tries to explain himself (IV.69)

Meed notices Wrong (IV.71)

Peace shows his bloody skull from Wrong (IV.74)

Peace explains he didn't deserve this wound (IV.75)

Wisdom and Wit try to overcome the King with Meed (IV.78)

King throws Wrong in irons (IV.81)

someone wise says this isn't right (Iv. 83)

Wit agrees (IV.88)

Meed begs mercy, gives Peace gold (IV.90)

Meed vouches Wrong will never do it again (IV.92)

Peace asks the king to have mercy on Wrong, since Wisdom has had Meed pay amends (IV.94

King refuses for Conscience's sake (IV.99)

some advise Reason to pity Wrong, look to Conscience to counsel the King (IV.105)

Reason refuses to take pity (IV.108)

Clerks attempt to translate Reason 's speech (IV.146)

Meed winks at lawyer, asking them to stop Reason (IV.148)

just men declare Reason 's truth, see that Meekness overcomes Meed (IV.151)

Love and Loyalty think little of Meed (IV.156)

Love and Loyalty tell Conscience and the King no one should marry Meed for money (IV.158)

Meed mourns, is taken out of chamber (IV.160)

Sheriff's clerk cries out to Meed (IV.164)

King calls Conscience and Reason into his council (IV.166)

King chastise lawyers for losing him revenue (IV.169)

Conscience speaks to King, encourages commons' help (IV.175)

Reason agrees (IV.179)

King asks Reason and Conscience to stay and be his council (IV.183)

Reason agrees (IV.187)

King orders Conscience to fire his officers (IV.195)

dreamer awakes (IV.196)

AWAKE

(PASSUS V)

dreamer awakes, clothed like a loller (V.2)

Reason rebukes him for not using his skills usefully (V.12)

dreamer says he's too weak (V.22)

Reason tells him not to waste/beg (V.26)

dreamer says he's never found a life he likes better than lolling (V.25)

Conscience says dreamer is wrong in his reasoning (V.89)

dreamer admits wasting time (V.92)

Reason advises him to get started on the good life (V.103)

Conscience backs up reason (V.104)

dreamer goes to church, kneels, tells his sins, falls asleep (V.105)

DREAM II

DREAM

dreamer sees Reason preaching as the pop not to waste time (V.114)

Reason orders people not to be wasteful; enters apocalyptic mode (V.136)

Reason counsels king to love his people (V.180)

Reason commands peace as penance and perpetual forgiveness (V.194)

(PASSUS VI)

Repentence runs in (VI.1)

Will weeps (VI.2)

Purnel repents (VI.3)

Repentence orders repentence

Pride repents

Repentence ask God to give him grace to amend

Envy repents (VI.63)

Repentence says he'll be sorry (VI.91)

Envy says he is (VI.93)

Wrath wakes up

Wrath confesses

Repentence orders repentence (VI.164)

Repentence absolves Wrath

Lechery confesses

Covetousness comes

Covetousness confesses

Repentance asks if he's never repented

Covetousness says he once stole from someone

Repentance calls that a lousy restitution; asks if he practiced usuary?

Covetousness says no, just a little when young

Repentance asks if he ever lend to a lord for protection

Covetousness has

Repentance demands restitution before absolution

Covetousness confesses more

Repentance says he's an "unkynde" creature; he can't absolve him until restitution (VI.296)

Welshman says he'll make restitution

Robert the Rifler noticed the law of reddite, weeps because he has nothing to make restitution with

Robert begs forgiveness

dreamer doesn't know what happened to Robert, but notes his genuine torment

Repentence says he's heading for heaven if his heart is right (VI.331)

Glutton goes to confession, stops at bar on the way

Glutton gets drunk, ends up vomiting (VI.412)

Glutton's wife and daughter put him to bed

Glutton confesses to Repentance

(PASSUS VII)

Sloth comes to confess, falls asleep

Repentance orders him awake

Sloth confesses

Repentance asks if he doesn't repent?

Repentance faints; is awoken

Repentance recommends repentance to Sloth

Sloth sits up, corsses himself

Sloth confesses

prophetic narrative voice on sloth; direct address (VII.70)

Repentance advises all to kneel

Repentance prayers for forgiveness (VII.121)

Hope takes up the horn

a thousand men throng together, crying for Christ, grace and Truth; but no one knows the way

pilgrim enters (VII.160)

folks ask him where he's from

Pilgrim describes journies

folks ask where Truth lives

Pilgrim doesn't know

Piers Plowman says he knows the way; Conscience and Kynde Wit gave him directions (VII.182)

folks offer Piers money

Piers refuses; describes the journey to Truth

several people don't think they have any kin there

Piers prods them on with mercy

one leaves

one says he has to plow first

he asks Piers to excuse him to Truth

Active can't go because his wife is too wiled to be left alone

Contemplation says he'll follow Piers

(PASSUS VIII)

Piers wants to plow the half-acre

Woman asks what the women should do

Piers says sew sacks

Knight asks what he could do

Piers says keep them safe

Knight pledge to do so

Piers asks him not to trouble any tenant unless Truth agrees; don't oppose Conscience or Holy Church

Knight assents

Piers dresses as a pilgrim

Piers says he'll sow, then go on a pilgrimage for pardon

Piers commands his wife, daughter and son to obedience

Piers dictates his will (VIII.95)

Piers and pilgrims begin plowing (VIII.112)

Piers lets his plow stand, begins to act as overseer

Others sit down in idleness

Piers tells them to get up and work

they tell Piers they can't work, make excuses, pray to him

Piers calls them false

Waster gets angry

Piers complains to the knight

Knight warns waster to improve

Waster refuses

Piers calls on Hunger

Hunger grabs Waster around the belly

Piers asks Hunger for mercy on them

phonies are frightened, take up working

Piers is proud, puts them to work

Piers pities them

Piers tells Hunger to leave (VIII.206)

Hunger says Wasters must work

Piers asks if he might be sinless if he does as Hunger wants

Hunger says yes; shows that everyone must work for their food

Piers says he'll show this proverb to those who beg and won't work; says his stomach hurts

Hunger says he's eaten too much; has to work harder

Piers says he can go now

Hunger says he won't go away until he's dined and drunk

Piers says he doesn't have anything to eat

poor bring Hunger what they have

Hunger eats it all, asks for more

poor people give him more, with harvest coming

Waster refuses to work

prophetic voice, direct address; warns people to get ahead while they can; hope God of his goodness grants us a truce (VIII.343)

(PASSUS IX)

Truth obtains a pardon for Piers and his heirs, tells him to stay home and plow -- he'll pardon whoever does

prophetic voice breaks through to describe who is included in the pardon; merchants (who pray for Piers for bringing them this bull (IX.42); poverty of women; beggars with bags won't be pardoned -- if you have your health, you should work; every now and then voice merges with Piers' voice (IX.37,159-161

Priest asks Piers if he can read his pardon

Piers unfolds the pardon, shows last lines of Athanasian Creed

Priest says the only pardon is Dowel and have well; do evil and have evil, be damned

Priest and Piers argue about pardon

dreamer awakes

AWAKE

dreamer wanders, "meatless and moneyless" on Malvern Hills; thinks about pardon

dreamer comments on dreams, and Dowel

prophetic voice bursts through at the end, advising rich men to account for their actions

(PASSUS X)

dreamer roams, looking for Dowel; comes upon two friars

dreamer asks friars where Dowel resides

friars say he's with the friars

dreamer disputes

friars tells story of man in a boat tossed about by sin

dreamer says he has no kynde wit to understand; says eh'll keep looking

dreamer wander alone in savage wilderness, listens to birds

dreamer falls asleep

DREAM III

dreamer sees tall man

dreamer asks him who he is

Thought responds

dreamer asks Thought where Dowel is

Thought says Dowel is true of tong, Dobet preaches, Dobest is a bishop

dreamer still doesn't understand

Thought recommends Wit

Thought and dreamer walk, debating Dowel; come upon Wit

Thought asks Wit about Dowel, Dobet, Dobest

Wit responds by describing human nature as a castle (X.127)

dreamer asks what Kind is

Wit responds Kind is creator; man with inwit has treasure enough from Truth to provide for himself; speaks on marriage (X.151)

(PASSUS XI)

Wit's wife, Dame study, is angry

Dame study says Wit shouldn't throw pearls of wisdom to swine

Wit laughs at Study, tells dreamer to beg for her grace

dreamer begs for Dame Study's grace, asks about Dowel

Dame Study refers dreamer to her cousin Clergy

dreamer asks where Clergy dwells

Dame Study gives directions; talks about what she knows, but how Theology has troubled her; must ask Clergy

dreamer leaves

dreamer comes to Clergy, asks about Dowel

Clergy says keep the 10 commandments

Scripture scorns dreamer, tells Clergy to get rid of the dreamer

Scripture puts dreamer down in Latin

dreamer weeps for woe and anger

dreamer falls asleep

DREAM WITHIN A DREAM

Fortune fetches the dreamer, takes him to the land of longing

Fortune shows the dreamer the mirror of Middle Earth

Concupiscencia carnes and covetousness-of-eyes follow fortune

Concupiscencia carnes tells dreamer to enjoy his youth

Covetousness-of-eyes agrees, says she'll attend him

Fortune promises to be dreamer's friend

Old Age comes

Old Age warns dreamer not to be seduced

Recklessness tells dreamer not to mind Old Age; Fortune will follow him;

Recklessness gives long speech on grace and doctrine of good works, predestination; sounds like prophetic voice at moments

poet Plato says let God do his will, encourages dreamer to be reckless

Childishness pulls dreamer forth

(PASSUS XII)

Old Age and Holiness lament dreamer's being pulled away

Coveousness-of-eyes comforts dreamer, calls him Recklessness

dreamer does as she says, passes from youth into Old Age

Fortune leaves dreamer

friar who promised absolution leaves dreamer

Loyalty laughs

dreamer scowls

Loyalty asks why dreamer scowls

dreamer says friar flattered him only as long as he had money

Loyalty says don't blab publicly (poet's role)

Scripture agrees with Loyalty

Scripture goes to pulpit, preaches; few understand

dreamer is vexed by her text debates whether or not he's chosen

dreamer says everyone must pay for their sins

Scripture agrees; says no sin keeps mercy from amending

Trajan the knight says he was saved, even though an unchristian creature

Recklessness begins long speech on proper forms of poverty, the seeds of faith

(PASSUS XIII)

Recklessness's speech continues; merchants (rich men) vs. messengers (mobile beggars); argues with Clergy and scorns Scripture

Kind comes to help out Clergy, makes him look in mirror of Middle Earth

dreamer notices natural order, sees Reason in beasts (birds building intricate nests)

dreamer asks Reason why he's in other beasts, but not men

Reason says let things be as they are

dreamer is ashamed

dreamer awakes

dreamer says he knows what Dowel is asleep, but never awake

person asks what Dowel is

dreamer answers "to see much and suffer all"

person responds he shouldn't inquire into the universe's mysteries

dreamer says this person speakes truth; laments arguing with Reason

person agrees, gets up

dreamer gets up to follow person, asks who he is

(PASSUS XIV)

Imaginatif tells dreamer not to spill speach; grace is a gift of God; says clergy have better instruments for understanding; if dropped in the Thames and one man learned to swim and the other didn't, who will drown? (XIV.1-108)

dreamer says the one who can't swim

Imaginatif says yes, it's bad to be ignorant; bird, peacocks like rich men (XIV.110)

dreamer asks if Saracens or Jew can be saved without baptism

Imaginatif scowls, says no; just different kind of baptism

Imaginatif vanishes

AWAKE

(PASSUS XV)

dreamer awakes, walks about like beggar thinking on dream

dreamer falls asleep

DREAM IV

Conscience and Clergy come, order dreamer to dine with Reason

dreamer meets Reason, they walk together

dreamer and Reason meet a friar; Conscience knows and welcomes him

Patience comes begging for food; Conscience knows and welcomes him

everyone sits to dine, master/friar at head, Reason presiding as steward, Patience and dreamer together at side table

Clergy calls for food

Scripture serves the diners with dishes of Augustine, Ambrose, etc.

Master can't eat it, as for moree expensive menu

Reason proposes Conscience command Scripture to bring bread for Patience

Scripture sets down food for Patience and dreamer

Contrition the cook brings another serving

Conscience, Clergy and Scripture comfort Patience and the dreamer

Patience is pleased with the service; dreamer mourns because doctor is drinking, eating too much

dreamer says points out hypocrisy of the doctor

dreamer lusts after doctor's food

Patience urges him to leave it alone

dreamer sits still

dreamer asks doctor what Dowel is

doctor says do no harm to your neighbors

dreamer says he doesn't practice what he preaches

Conscience makes meaningful look, winks at Patience to get dreamer to be quiet

Conscience asks doctor what Dowel, Dobet, Dobest is

doctor says Dowel is to do as doctors teach

Conscience turns to Clergy, asks about Dowel

Clergy excuses himself, turns to Piers

Piers pipes in, says to love one's enemy

Piers vanishes, Reason runs after him; only Conscience and Clergy left

Patience counsels patience

Doctor says this is an old entertainer's line; doesn't work for the real world

Doctor takes Clergy and Conscience into his council

Conscience gets rid of the doctor

Conscience says to Clergy he'd rather have patience than book learning

Conscience and Patience leave; dreamer follows; they all meet with a minstrel

Patience asks minstrel who he is

minstrel responds he's Activa Vita, apprenticed to Piers Plowman

Conscience asks what kind of minstrelsy

Activa Vita says he makes men merry; hates idleness; provides for men

Patience says it's he, not Activa Vita, who provides for men

Activa asks for food

Patience gives him a pater noster

Patience tells Activa to live by Christ's word and he'll never be hungry

Activa asks what perfect patience is

Patience responds meeknes and mild speech

Activa asks if poverty and patience please God more than righteous riches

Patience says yes; poor deserve heaven as a respite from their suffering, rich got their heaven on earth

(PASSUS XVI)

Patience continues tos peak

Patience prays to God

Patience says poor are more likely to go to heaven because they're less susceptible to seven deadly sins

Activa says angrily to patience, what is poverty?

Patience responds in Latin

Activa says he can't figure this out

Patience says this is difficult in English, but tries to translate

Activa has a leader named Free Will, who knows both Conscience and Clergy

Free Will says those with land/lordship when he dies will be poorest in power when he parts

dreamer asks Patience for permission to question Free Will

Patience grants it, tells him to ask his other name

dreamer asks Free Will what country he's from

Free Will responds he's known to many Christians

dreamer asks Free Will what his service is

Free Will responds with list of his duties that he does in bodies

dreamer asks if the body is better than him

Free Will says no; like wood and fire working together; many different names for him: Anima, Animus, Mens, Memoria, Ratio, Sensus, Sonsciencia, Spiritus

Will jokes that Free Will is just like a bishop with so many names

Free Will says he understands, dreamer wants to get to the bottom of them having so many names

dreamer agrees, says he wants to know all knowledge/crafts naturally in his heart

Free Will says then he's one of Pride's knights; desire for knowledge is evil; says lettered men must not be hypocrites for unlettered men to follow them

dreamer asks where charity is; never seen it in London, though it's preached often

Free Will says charity is childlike, must give like children

dreamer asks where this child-like believer gets his food/income

Free Will says he's provided for by Aperis-tu-manum, etc. (SVI.315)

dreamer asks who this person is

Free Will says Piers Plowman knows him, tells where Charity can be found

(PASSUS XVII)

dreamer says there's no such person who didn't sometimes sin

Free Will describes men who live off the land as quasi-hunter-gatherers (direct address prophetic voice breaks through at times); degeneration/corruption of humans

dreamer asks what Holy Church is

Free Will says Charity is Holy Church; love of God

dreamer asks if Saracens know what charity is

Free Will says they may naturally; but they follow the laws of false prophets; direct address of prophetic voice breaks through at times; Wycliffite sections on disendowment and corruption of priests; prioritizes converting Jews and Saracens

(PASSUS XVIII)

dreamer asks if Free Will can direct him to Charity

Free Will laughs, leads dreamer to Cor-hominis, a garden of mysteries with a graft named Ymago-dei in the center

Free Will tells will the tree is True-love, set by the Trinity

dreamer thanks Free Will; asks about three different props bearing it up

Free Will says they signify the Trinity, explains how it's kept healthy

dreamer looks at tree, notices the fruit is fair and of three kinds; asks if it's all the same

Free Will says yes; fruit is Activa life

dreamer says there are two lives: Activa Vita and Contemplativa Vita; why is the fruit in three degrees?

Free Will responds: marriage, widowhood and virginity

Free Will wants to taste, asks that it's shaken

Free Will calls Old Age to climb up high and shake it

Devil grabs fruit before it hits the ground

tree got angry; Free Will of God seizes middle prop and swings at Fiend

Filius and Spiritus Sanctus go take devil's apples

DREAM WITHIN A DREAM (?)

Mary says Jesus is with her, will joust for fallen fruit with devil; Jesus is 40 wks in the womb of Mary

Free Will taught Jesus to be a physician, to heal the faithful beforeo plentitudo temporis, raise up Lazarus

Jesus weeps [here launches into New Testament stories; overturning the tables in the temple; Judas;

Jesus chastises those who don't know him

Jesus is betrayed by Judas

dreamer awakes, frantic; looks for Free Will, can't find him

dreamer meets Abraham on Mid-lent Sunday

dreamer asks Abraham where he's fromg

Abraham says he's with faith

dreamer asks what he means about his coat of arms

Abraham says three persons in one pennon

dreamer asks if the separate things have different names

Abraham says yes, Father, Son and Holy Ghost

dreamer says it's hard to believe three-in-one

Faith says don't muse on it much but believe it loyally; explains how it works by analogy with marriage/children

dreamer asks if Faith has seen all three and one God

Faith says he say all three as God walk by his gate one summer

dreamer wonders at his words; notices something he blesses often on his bosom; see s aleper on his lap playing with patriarchs and prophets

Faith asks what dreamer is looking for

dreamer wants to know what's in his lap

Faith shows him

dreamer exclaims on the price of this present

Faith says it's precious, but the Devil attacks it; waiting for Christ to return

dreamer exclaims on sin keeping humanity from second coming

dreamer weeps; sees another run past, asks where he came from

(PASSUS XIX)

Hope/Moses says he has a commandment to rule all realms

dreamer asks if its sealed

Hope says no; he seeks him who has the seal, Christ

dreamer asks to see letters

Hope gives a hard rock that says "Love God and thy neighbor"

dreamer sees in gilt pen it written "On these two commandments dependeth the whole law"

dreamer asks if all Hope's lod's leters are here

Hope says yes

Faith says he's being truthful, shows Old Testament people who believed in Old Law

dreamer is incredulous, asks about trinity and new law

Samaritan comes riding fast, meets Abraham and Hope in a wild wilderness where theives had bound a man

Faith sees the man; runs away

Hope sees the man; backs away

Samaritan helps the man, takes him to an inn, pays for his care

Samaritan rides away; Faith and Hope follow after; dreamer pursues

dreamer tells Samaritan how Faith and Hope were afraid

Samaritan says Faith and Hope alone can't restore sick men, but the blood of Christ

dreamer asks about Trinity

Samaritan says it's true, likens trinity to fist, finger and palm of God; says rich men have a hard time getting into heaven;

dreamer asks if he dies now and is sorry for his sins, will he be saved?

Samaritan says yes, if he is true and makes restitution

Samritan vanishes like wind

dreamer awakes

AWAKE

(PASSUS XX)

dreamer wanders like a vagrant

dreamer lays down at Lent, sleeps

DREAM V

dreamer sees someone like the Samaritan and Piers righting forth

Faith cries out to him

dreamer asks Faith what this means, who is coming to joust in Jerusalem?

Faith say it's Jesus to fetch what the Fiend claims, the fruit of Piers the plowman

dreamer asks if Piers is in this place

Faith says Jesus will joust in Piers' armor

dreamer asks who will joust with Jesus, Jews or scribs/

Faith says no, the fiend

Pilate comes; Jews cry out "Crucify!"

prosecutor comes before Pilate

prosecutor says Jesus mocked the temple of the Jews

court officer cries crucify! he practices witchcraft!

garland of thorns set on jesus' head

Jesus nailed to cross

hard rock of earth/temple split, dead men come out of graves

dead man says no one will know who succeeds, life or death, until sunrise

thieves on the cross; no one bold enough to touch Christ's body

Longinus the blind Jew sent to joust with Jesus; pierces his heart; blood opens his eyes

Longinus cries for mercy

Faith upbraids false Jews

dreamer withdraws to hell in fear

dreamer sees Mercy come from the west, Truth from the east

Truth asks what is going on

Mercy says it's a thing of joy

Truth rejects what Mercy says; says something in hell can never leave, quotes scripture

Mercy says grace will make a good end and deceive the deceiver

Truth says she sees Righteousness come running

Mercy says she sees Peace clothed in patience come from the south

Peace clothed in patience approaches; Righteousness reverenced Peace in her rich clothing, asks where Peace is going

Peace says she's going to see many in hell, Adam and Eve and Moses; God gave her and her sister Mercy to mankind to bail them out

Peace shows a letter patent of the deed

Righteousness is incredulous

Peace promises to prove it

Book comes

Book bears witness

Truth tells them to be quiet; sees a spirit requesting the gates be opened

loud voice in light says to Lucifer to undo the gates

Satan says to Hell the light will ruin them; asks for chains to bar up gates

Lucifer says he's too powerful; but hopes that God will allow him his rights

Satan agrees, but says Lucifer used deceit in getting those souls

Goblin/Devil says it's true, he used deceit

Fiend advises they flee

prophetic voice briefly breaks out in digression about liars

light again commands they unlock hell

Lucifer ask what lord he is

voice responds the lord that made all things

bars of hell break; the trapped souls flee; Lucifer can't look into the light

Lord tells Lucifer he got them by right and reason, since Lucifer beguiled them; grace wins back what guile stole

God binds Lucifer in chains

Peace sings

Truth calls a truce

Peace says no one should know they ever quarreled

Righteousness agrees

Peace, Truth, Righeousness kiss

singing, bells

AWAKE

dreamer awakes, tells Kit and his daughter Calote to go reverence God's resurrection

(PASSUS XXI)

dreamer writes what he's learned; goes to mass for communion

dreamer falls asleep when men went to offering

DREAM VI

dreamer sees Piers painted bloody like Christ

dreamer asks Conscience if this is christ?

Conscience says they're Piers' arms and colors, but he who comes so bloody is christ

dreamer asks why he's called Christ, since Jews call him Jesus?

Conscience launches in to long speech on the life of Christ

Conscience counsels dreamer to kneel

dreamer sees spiritus paraclitus strike Piers and his followers like lightening, letting them know many languages; dreamer is afraid

Conscience kneels

Conscience says this is Christ's messanger, orders dreamer to kneel and welcome him

dreamer kneels and sings for God's Grace

Grace goes with Piers and counsels him and Conscience to summon the commons

Grace says he'll divide grace with all kinds of creatures; warns against antichrist becoming pope

Grace gives each man grace to guide and protect himselves

Grace recommends they crown Conscience king and make Craft the steward; Piers is made proctor and reeve, provider and plowman on earth to cultivate truth

Grace give Piers a team of four oxen (Luke, Mark, Matthew and John); then four horses (Augustine, Ambrose, Gregory and Jerome; seeds (the cardinal virtues)

Piers sows the seeds

Piers says to harrow natural intelligence

Grace tells Piers when it's time to harvest, build a house to store it

Piers asks Grace to give timber and ordain that house before he leaves (XXI.320)

Grace makes a house

Piers and Grace go out to sow truth

Pride comes to injure Conscience and Christians

Pride threatens to break house of Unity

Conscience counsels Christians to hold fast in Unity; Grace alone will help them defeat Pride

Common Sense came, told Conscience to dig a ditch around Unity, so that Holy Church became a fort

Conscience commands Christians to dig

Conscience says Pride can't defeat them; giving of Eucharist; Piers has been given pardon for all who Redde quot debes

Common people are confused; ask if they're being asked to give back all they owe before going to communion?

Conscience says yes

brewer refuses

Conscience says he'll never be saved then

uneducated vicar points out that many men are lost, then; even the pope is imperfect (Wycliffite)

lord agrees, says he holds it right and reasonable to take from his reeve

king agrees, too, says he can rule as he likes

Conscience agrees, on condition he rules with reason and truth

vicar takes his leave, has far to travel

dreamer awakes, writes down his dream

AWAKE

(PASSUS XXII)

dreamer walks, sad and aching at heart; meets Need

Need calls him a phony, asks why he didn't excuse himself like the king; reproaches dreamer

dreamer falls asleep

DREAM VII

dreamer sees Antichrist come, rules over all people, friars, followers

Conscience advises fools into Holy Church

Nature hears Conscience; sends illness; Death strikes down all, both high and low

Conscience asks Nature to lay off to see if the people will amend

Fortune begins flattering the few survivrs, sending Lechery

Covetousness came to destroy people

Conscience jokes that he wishes Covetousness were Christian, since he's such a good fighter

Life laughs, has his clothes stylishly slit and says Holiness is a joke, Honesty a waste of time, etc.

Life says Health and he will teach not to fear Death or Old Age

Life and his mistress Forgune attract Sloth, who marries Despair

Conscience warns Old Age, who waves away Deespair and tries to make confession

Life flees for fear to Physic, asks for relief

Old Age runs at Life and the Doctor, strikes Doctor dead

Life sees that surgery nor medicine can stop Old Age

Life rides to Revel, Old Age chases him; shaves off some of dreamer's head in the pursuit

dreamer complains about baldness

Old Age beats up dreamer

dreamer sees Nature pass by and Death draw near

dreamer cries to Kind to help him with Old Age, wants vengeance

Kind tells him to go to Unity, and learn some craft

dreamer asks Kind what craft is best to learn

Kind says learn to love, forget everything else

dreamer says he doesn't know how he'll earn a living

Kind says he'll never lack if he loves loyally

dreamer roams through Contrition and Confession till he comes to Unity, where Conscience was constable

Antichrist, seven sins and priest launch attacks against Unity

Conscience cries for Clergy's help

friars come to help but they don't know enough; Conscience gives up on them

Need tells Conscience says the friars should live like beggars

Conscience laughs, calls in and comforts friars

Conscience says to friars he'll help as long as they live according to their rule, get rid of logic and learn to love

Envy hears; orders friars back to school

dreamer/prophetic voice breaks in to discourse on parish priests

Envy gives university fellowships to friars

Hypocrisy launches an assault

Conscience has Peace bolt the gates; calls in doctor to help those sick or wounded with sin

people don't like the doctor; ask for Friar Flatterer

Contrition encourages Conscience to let Friar Flatterer in

Conscience doesn't want to but assents

Ffriar gets a letter from a lord giving him a parish, goes to a bishop; knocks on the gate where Conscience is

Peace begins to unlock the gate

Friar asks to speak with Contrition

Peace says he's sick

Friar says he's a surgeon, can prepare salves

Peace asks his name

Friar responds he is Penetrans domos

Peace tells him to leave

Courteous-speech tells Peace to open the gates

Friar enters, greets Conscience

Conscience welcomes him, asks if he can heal Contrition, who leaves plasters on from Lent to Lent

Friar thinks this is too long

Friar tests, offers him plaster for private payment

Friar asks for silver

Friar smooth-talks Contrition

Sloth and Pride see Contrition give up, come to attack Conscience

Conscience cries for Clergy's help, and asks Contrition to hold the gate

Peace says he's drowned; Friar has enchanted them with treatments and sleeping potions

Conscience swears to become a pilgrim searching Piers, who can destroy Pride

Conscience cries out for Grace

dreamer awakes